DOCSLIB.ORG

Episode 52: “Over a Thousand Points of Light” Featuring Gregg Petersmeyer

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Episode 52: “Over a Thousand Points of Light” Featuring Gregg Petersmeyer ATB Podcast- Gregg Petersmeyer 1 All the Best Podcast 52. Over A Thousand Points of Light Featuring former Senior White House Staffer, Gregg Petersmeyer Gregg: January 15th, 1993. Dear Gregg, thank you for your loyal service as assistant to the President director of the office of National Service. Parting with friends and colleagues is never easy, but I'm proud of each member of my team and deeply appreciate your contribution to our accomplishments. Four years ago, I said that I sought the presidency in order to build a better America. We've achieved that goal together. And we have also met the challenges of a changing, sometimes turbulent world through a host of achievements. Among them America 2000, the North American Free Trade Agreement and the Clean Air Act of 1990 and the Americans for Disabilities Act. We've made genuine breakthroughs and honored our commitments to advance the wellbeing of the American people. I'm also very pleased by the work that was accomplished through the points of light initiative. With your terrific efforts and the help of your staff, we've established what I believe will be a lasting positive legacy of service to others. And I'm grateful for the dedication and energy with which you approached this important work. I also vowed four years ago to keep America strong. The success of our efforts is evident in the resounding victories for Liberty and the rule of law in the Panama and the Persian Gulf. Of course, few achievements have been more far reaching than the death of Imperial communism in the former Soviet Union, a triumph that has rekindled hope for millions of people. I believe that history ATB Podcast- Gregg Petersmeyer 2 will credit our steady handling of these complex perilous events as the guarantee of America's success. You have my lasting respect and gratitude for your service at the White House and you can take pride in knowing that you have made a difference for our country. Barbara joins me in sending heartfelt thanks and best wishes to you and Julie for the future. Sincerely, George H.W. Bush. George: In the first place, I believe that character is a part of being President. Barbara: And life really must have joy. Sam: This is "All the Best." The official podcast of the George and Barbara Bush Foundation. I'm your host, Sam LeBlond, one of their many grandchildren. Here, we celebrate the legacy of these two incredible Americans through friends, family, and the foundation. This is "All the Best." George: I remember something my dad taught me. He said, write your mother, serve your country, and he said, tell the truth. And I've tried to do that in public life. All through it. Barbara: You are a human being first and those human connections with children, with friends are the most important investments you will ever make. George: We stand tonight before a new world of hope and possibilities for our children. A world we could not have contemplated a few years ago. Sam: On behalf of our family and the George and Barbara Bush Foundation. This is "All the Best." Gregg Petersmeyer has served in the White House staff for two Presidents. first with Richard Nixon as the youngest staff assistant and then again for my grandfather, President George H.W. Bush on the senior White House staff as an assistant to the President. During his time and my grandfather's administration, Gregg was the founding director of the White House Office of National Service, he helped establish the Points of Light Foundation and was instrumental in the passage of the National and Community Service Act of 1990. Gregg also created the Daily Point of Light Award, the first daily Presidential recognition program in American history, which continues through the Points of Light Foundation today. Currently Gregg sits on the board of Points of Light and is the founder and CEO of Personal Pathways, LLC. Gregg, thank you so much for joining us on "All the Best." Gregg: Thank you, Sam. I'm glad to be with you. ATB Podcast- Gregg Petersmeyer 3 Sam: Well, Gregg, I want to start with something fun. I've seen a terrific photo of you with my grandfather in China during the 1970s, which means you must have met my grandparents long before the Presidential campaigns. How did you first meet? Gregg: It was actually the summer of 1969. I was finishing my freshman year in college and I was a summer intern in the Nixon White House. It was the first summer Nixon had been in the White House and Julia and David Eisenhower, President Nixon's daughter and son-in-law invited me to go to a baseball game, the Washington Senators back then. He had up team and it was an evening game in July. And I was sitting with them and Congressman George Bush came over to say hello. And he knew them. I had not met him. They introduced me and he had met my father, I think some years before and he asked me what I was doing and I told him I was there for the summer. He said, gee, you know, you ought to come over on Sundays. We do hamburgers in the back and a bar and I would love to have you. And then a couple of days later, I get a call from his office, inviting me that next Sunday to come to their house in Washington. You know, I became one of his 5 million best friends and it was really remarkable. I came back each summer in college to work at the White House and then full-time after I graduated. And so I continued to see him for a number of years during the Nixon presidency. And then periodically after that. Sam: Our podcast is all about service and everyone we've spoken with has served and/or helped others in some meaningful way. I want to know your path of service, Gregg. Gregg: Well, I don't think my story is very special actually. I grew up in a household where my parents did volunteer work. I was very active as a boy scout. I did all kinds of service projects on weekends and did the same in school and through the church I was a member of. I later got involved as a volunteer in political campaigns. And now, you know, as I've gotten older, I've remained involved in all kinds of organizations. Typically, you know, now at the board level. Sam: So Gregg, what drew you to politics in the first place? Was it the people and meeting people like my grandfather, or was it something that you just innately knew that you wanted to be a part of? Gregg: It's a good question. I actually, in 1968, did a project in high school on the Republican alternatives to Lyndon Johnson, who was people thought was going to run for another term. At the time the candidates were Nelson Rockefeller, Ronald Reagan, George Romney, Senior, Mitt Romney's father ATB Podcast- Gregg Petersmeyer 4 and Richard Nixon. And I sent away for all kinds of material and got material back and got about an inch or an inch and a half of stuff from all the candidates except Richard Nixon, whose office sent back about six inches worth of material. Much of it very interesting. I mean, he wrote an article in foreign affairs the year before about opening relations with China, said we needed to reform the welfare system. We needed to start an environmental agency. So I ended up saying, I really wanted to work for him that summer. And it's pretty counter to what my friends were doing, which were pretty much lining up after Jean McCarthy, during that period or Bobby Kennedy actually, before he was killed. Sam: Let's fast forward to 1989. My grandfather is President and right away he creates the White House Office of National Service with you as the first director. And in that position, you helped him launch a movement known today as the Points of Light. How did this movement come to life and what did the Office of National Service do? Gregg: It was an unusual office in that it was really not about the President's role as leader of the government or as head of his political party. It was really about him as leader of the nation. And in that sense, it was more of a cultural office, which again is a little bit out of sync. I used to tell colleagues on the White House staff who were upset that he was spending so much time on Points of Light, that this really was a different type of leadership he was trying to initiate. And it was really around trying to have people discover or be reaffirmed that they needed to help with our nation's problems, that there were children that didn't know how to read, which is something that obviously Barbara Bush was very committed to. There were all kinds of problems, which bureaucracies weren't going to solve, and that actually relationships needed to be engaged. And he had foreshadowed all of this in both his Republican National Convention speech and in his inaugural. When in both, he talked about his view of what America is and a big part of that was at the bright center is the individual who really is responsible for his or her family, for their community, for organizations they're part of, but that the country really is made up of tens of thousands of communities and tens of thousands of organizations all spread like stars across a broad and peaceful sky, like a thousand points of light.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • George Bush and the End of the Cold War. Christopher Alan Maynard Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
    Louisiana State University LSU Digital Commons LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses Graduate School 2001 From the Shadow of Reagan: George Bush and the End of the Cold War. Christopher Alan Maynard Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/gradschool_disstheses Recommended Citation Maynard, Christopher Alan, "From the Shadow of Reagan: George Bush and the End of the Cold War." (2001). LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses. 297. https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/gradschool_disstheses/297 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at LSU Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses by an authorized administrator of LSU Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. INFORMATION TO USERS This manuscript has been reproduced from the microfilm master. UMI fiims the text directly from the original or copy submitted. Thus, some thesis and dissertation copies are in typewriter face, while others may be from any type of computer printer. The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. Broken or indistinct print, colored or poor quality illustrations and photographs, print bleedthrough, substandard margins, and improper alignment can adversely affect reproduction.. In the unlikely event that the author did not send UMI a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if unauthorized copyright material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. Oversize materials (e.g., maps, drawings, charts) are reproduced by sectioning the original, beginning at the upper left-hand comer and continuing from left to right in equal sections with small overlaps.
    [Show full text]
  • SPRING 2014 SPELMAN Messenger
    Stacey Dougan, C’98, Raw Vegan Chef ALSO INSIDE: 2013 Reunion THE ALUMNAE MAGAZINE OF SPELMAN COLLEGE VOLUME 124 NUMBER 1 SPRING 2014 SPELMAN Messenger EDITOR All submissions should be sent to: Jo Moore Stewart Spelman Messenger Office of Alumnae Affairs ASSOCIATE EDITOR 350 Spelman Lane, S.W., Box 304 Joyce Davis Atlanta, GA 30314 COPY EDITOR OR Janet M. Barstow [email protected] Submission Deadlines: GRAPHIC DESIGNER Garon Hart Spring Semester: January 1 – May 31 Fall Semester: June 1 – December 31 ALUMNAE DATA MANAGER ALUMNAE NOTES Alyson Dorsey, C’2002 Alumnae Notes is dedicated to the following: EDITORIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE • Education Eloise A. Alexis, C’86 • Personal (birth of a child or marriage) Tomika DePriest, C’89 • Professional Kassandra Kimbriel Jolley Please include the date of the event in your Sharon E. Owens, C’76 submission. TAKE NOTE! WRITERS S.A. Reid Take Note! is dedicated to the following Lorraine Robertson alumnae achievements: TaRessa Stovall • Published Angela Brown Terrell • Appearing in films, television or on stage • Special awards, recognition and appointments PHOTOGRAPHERS Please include the date of the event in your J.D. Scott submission. Spelman Archives Julie Yarbrough, C’91 BOOK NOTES Book Notes is dedicated to alumnae authors. Please submit review copies. The Spelman Messenger is published twice a year IN MEMORIAM by Spelman College, 350 Spelman Lane, S.W., We honor our Spelman sisters. If you receive Atlanta, Georgia 30314-4399, free of charge notice of the death of a Spelman sister, please for alumnae, donors, trustees and friends of contact the Office of Alumnae Affairs at the College.
    [Show full text]
  • George HW Bush and CHIREP at the UN 1970-1971
    University of New Orleans ScholarWorks@UNO University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations Dissertations and Theses Spring 5-22-2020 The First Cut is the Deepest: George H.W. Bush and CHIREP at the U.N. 1970-1971 James W. Weber Jr. University of New Orleans, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.uno.edu/td Part of the American Popular Culture Commons, Asian History Commons, Cultural History Commons, Diplomatic History Commons, and the United States History Commons Recommended Citation Weber, James W. Jr., "The First Cut is the Deepest: George H.W. Bush and CHIREP at the U.N. 1970-1971" (2020). University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations. 2756. https://scholarworks.uno.edu/td/2756 This Thesis is protected by copyright and/or related rights. It has been brought to you by ScholarWorks@UNO with permission from the rights-holder(s). You are free to use this Thesis in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights- holder(s) directly, unless additional rights are indicated by a Creative Commons license in the record and/or on the work itself. This Thesis has been accepted for inclusion in University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks@UNO. For more information, please contact [email protected]. The First Cut is the Deepest : George H.W. Bush and CHIREP at the U.N. 1970–1971 A Thesis Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of the University of New Orleans in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in History by James W.
    [Show full text]
  • September 11 & 12 . 2008
    n e w y o r k c i t y s e p t e m b e r 11 & 12 . 2008 ServiceNation is a campaign for a new America; an America where citizens come together and take responsibility for the nation’s future. ServiceNation unites leaders from every sector of American society with hundreds of thousands of citizens in a national effort to call on the next President and Congress, leaders from all sectors, and our fellow Americans to create a new era of service and civic engagement in America, an era in which all Americans work together to try and solve our greatest and most persistent societal challenges. The ServiceNation Summit brings together 600 leaders of all ages and from every sector of American life—from universities and foundations, to businesses and government—to celebrate the power and potential of service, and to lay out a bold agenda for addressing society’s challenges through expanded opportunities for community and national service. 11:00-2:00 pm 9/11 DAY OF SERVICE Organized by myGoodDeed l o c a t i o n PS 124, 40 Division Street SEPTEMBER 11.2008 4:00-6:00 pm REGIstRATION l o c a t i o n Columbia University 9/11 DAY OF SERVICE 6:00-7:00 pm OUR ROLE, OUR VOICE, OUR SERVICE PRESIDENTIAL FORUM& 101 Young Leaders Building a Nation of Service l o c a t i o n Columbia University Usher Raymond, IV • RECORDING ARTIST, suMMIT YOUTH CHAIR 7:00-8:00 pm PRESIDEntIAL FORUM ON SERVICE Opening Program l o c a t i o n Columbia University Bill Novelli • CEO, AARP Laysha Ward • PRESIDENT, COMMUNITY RELATIONS AND TARGET FOUNDATION Lee Bollinger • PRESIDENT, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY Governor David A.
    [Show full text]
  • Jean-Becker-KICD-Press-Release.Pdf
    Kinder Institute on Constitutional Democracy announces distinguished MU alumna Jean Becker to serve on advisory board. Contact: Allison Smythe, 573.882.2124, smythea@missouri For more information on the Kinder Institute see democracy.missouri.edu COLUMBIA, Mo. – Today, the Kinder Institute on Constitutional Democracy at the University of Missouri announced that alumna Jean Becker, former chief of staff for George H. W. Bush, will serve on the institute’s advisory board, beginning July 1. “Jean Becker has had a remarkable career in journalism, government and public service,” said Justin Dyer, professor of political science and director of the Kinder Institute. “We look forward to working with her to advance the Kinder Institute’s mission of promoting teaching and scholarship on America’s founding principles and history.” Becker served as chief of staff for George H.W. Bush from March 1, 1994, until his death on Nov. 30, 2018. She supervised his office operations in both Houston, Texas, and Kennebunkport, Maine, overseeing such events as the opening of the George Bush Presidential Library Center in 1997, the commissioning of the USS George H.W. Bush aircraft carrier in January 2009, and coordinating special projects such as the Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund. She took a leave of absence in 1999 to edit and research All the Best, George Bush; My Life in Letters and Other Writings. Previously, Becker served as deputy press secretary to First Lady Barbara Bush from 1989 to 1992. After the 1992 election, she moved to Houston to help Mrs. Bush with the editing and research of her autobiography, Barbara Bush, A Memoir.
    [Show full text]
  • Episode 62: “A Truly Historic Friendship” Featuring Secretary Baker
    All the Best Podcast Episode 62: “A Truly Historic Friendship” Featuring Secretary of State and White House Chief of Staff under President George H. W. Bush, James Baker, III Secretary Baker: On August 21st, 1974, after President Ford announced his pick of Nelson Rockefeller for vice president, following that announcement, George wrote me this letter. Dear Bake. Yesterday was an enormous personal disappointment. For valid reasons, we made the finals. Valid reasons I mean a lot of hills, RNC, and letter support. And so the defeat was, therefore, more intense. But that was yesterday. Today and tomorrow will be different, for I see now clearly what it means to have really close friends more clearly than ever before in my life. I take personal pleasure from the great official support, but I take even more from the way our friends rallied around, and none did more than you to help me with a problem that burned my soul and my conscience. But the sun is about to come out, and life looks pretty darn good. Thanks. George. George: In the first place, I believe that character is a part of being president. Barbara: And life really must have joy. Sam: This is "All the Best." The official podcast of the George and Barbara Bush Foundation. I'm your host, Sam LeBlond, one of their many grandchildren. Here, we celebrate the legacy of these two incredible Americans through friends, family, and the foundation. This is, "All the Best." We're Mountaineers, volunteers We're the tide that rolls, we're Seminoles Yeah, we're one big country nation, that's right George: I remember something my dad taught me.
    [Show full text]
  • U.S. Postal Service Honoring Former President George H.W. Bush With
    National: Roy Betts FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 202.268.3207 May 23, 2019 [email protected] Local: Kanickewa “Nikki” Johnson 832.221.7514 [email protected] U.S. Postal Service Honoring Former President George H.W. Bush with Forever Stamp First Day of Issue Event June 12th at Bush Center in College Station, Acknowledging President Bush 95th Birthday What: The U.S. Postal Service is issuing a Forever stamp honoring George Herbert Walker Bush, America’s 41st president, who died on November 30, 2018. The first day of issue event for the stamps is free and open to the public. News of the stamp is being shared with the hashtags #GHWBushStamp or #USPresidentsStamps. Who: Pierce Bush, CEO, Big Brothers Big Sisters Lone Star, Grandson of George H.W. Bush Hon. Robert M. Duncan, Chairman, Board of Governors, U.S. Postal Service, and Dedicating Official David B. Jones, President and CEO, George & Barbara Bush Foundation Warren Finch, Director, George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum Amb. Chase Untermeyer, Founding Chairman, Qatar-America Institute Jean Becker, Former Chief of Staff, Office of George H.W. Bush When: Wednesday, June 12, 2019, at 11 a.m. CDT Where: Annenberg Presidential Conference Center Frymire Auditorium 1002 George Bush Drive West College Station, TX 77845 RSVP: Dedication ceremony attendees are encouraged to RSVP at usps.com/georgehwbush. Background: George Herbert Walker Bush (1924–2018), served as America’s 41st president from 1989 to 1993. During his term in office, he guided the U.S. and its allies to a peaceful end of the Cold War, helped reunify Germany, and led a multinational coalition that successfully forced Iraq to withdraw from Kuwait during the Persian Gulf War.
    [Show full text]
  • Metaphors in Politics a Study of the Metaphorical Personification of America in Political Discource
    2007:080 C EXTENDED ESSAY Metaphors in Politics A study of the metaphorical personification of America in political discource IDA VESTERMARK Luleå University of Technology Department of Languages and Culture ENGLISH C Supervisor: Marie Nordlund 2007:080 • ISSN: 1402 - 1773 • ISRN: LTU - CUPP--07/80 - - SE C-EXTENDED ESSAY Metaphors in politics A study of the metaphorical personification of America in political discourse Ida Vestermark Luleå University of Technology Department of Languages and Culture English C Supervisor: Marie Nordlund Abstract The language of politics is a complex issue which includes many strategies of language use to influence the receiver toward a desired attitude or thought. Depending on the aim and conviction of the speaker, the use of language strategies differs. The topic of this essay is metaphors in politics and more specifically the personification of America in the first inaugural addresses by Ronald Reagan, George H W Bush, Bill Clinton and George W Bush. The focus is on how the metaphors are used, how they can be interpreted and what message they send to the receiver. This essay will argue that the conceptual metaphors used in political discourse in the inaugurals are highly intentional, but not always as easy to detect. The rhetorical strategy of conceptualizing America as human is analyzed and the conceptual metaphors accounted for and analyzed are THE WORLD AS A COMMUNITY , NATION AS A PERSON , NATION WITH HUMAN ATTRIBUTES and NATION ACTING AS HUMAN . The conclusion drawn is that the four presidents included all frequently use metaphors to personify the nation with the aim to make the American people identify with and understand their beliefs and goals for America.
    [Show full text]
  • George H.W. Bush, "Speech at Penn State University" (23 September 1992)
    Voices of Democracy 2 (2007): 126‐151 Hogan & Mehltretter 126 GEORGE H.W. BUSH, "SPEECH AT PENN STATE UNIVERSITY" (23 SEPTEMBER 1992) J. Michael Hogan and Sara Ann Mehltretter Pennsylvania State University Abstract: During the 1992 presidential campaign, President George H. W. Bush lost a lead in the polls and subsequently the presidency to Bill Clinton. This study helps to account for that loss by illuminating weaknesses in his campaign stump speech. Bush's speech at Penn State University reflected his difficulties in distinguishing himself from his challenger and articulating a vision for his second term. The essay also illustrates larger controversies over politics and free speech on campus. Key Words: 1992 presidential election, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, campaign speeches, free speech on campus, Penn State University On September 23, 1992, President George H.W. Bush brought his reelection campaign to the University Park campus of the Pennsylvania State University. Speaking on the steps of Old Main to a cheering crowd of supporters, Bush said little new in the speech. Yet it still proved controversial, not so much because of what Bush said, but because of the way the event was staged. Sparking controversy over the distribution of tickets and the treatment of protestors at the event, Bush's appearance dramatized the difficulties of staging campaign events at colleges and universities. It also raised larger issues about politics and free speech on campus. Bush's speech at Penn State was carefully prepared and vetted by his speech‐ writing staff and White House advisers. Yet despite all the effort that went into the speech, it was vague, uninspired, and unresponsive to criticisms of his administration, reflecting the larger problems with Bush's faltering campaign.
    [Show full text]
  • REPORT 2019 at POINTS of LIGHT, We Believe That the Most Powerful Force of Change in Our World Is the Individual — One Who Makes a Positive Difference
    ANNUAL REPORT 2019 AT POINTS OF LIGHT, we believe that the most powerful force of change in our world is the individual — one who makes a positive difference. We are a nonpartisan organization that inspires, equips and connects nonprofits, businesses and individuals ready to apply their time, talent, voice and resources to solve society’s greatest challenges. And we believe every action, no matter how small, can have an impact and change a life. Points of Light is committed to empowering, connecting and engaging people and organizations with opportunities to make a difference that are personal and meaningful. With our global network, we partner with corporations to help them become leaders in addressing challenges and encouraging deeper civic engagement that our society needs. Together, we are a force that transforms the world. O Z A T I N S B U S I N I N E A S S G E R S O T C 173 A Global Network 262 P Affiliates Businesses Engaged M I Per Year 37 41 L Countries U.S. States A I 57,000 C Local Community O Partners 3 million S Employees Mobilized Through Business Partners Per Year OUR GLOBAL 2 million People Engaged IMPACT Per Year Points of Light is committed to empowering, connecting and engaging people and organizations 1.9 million with opportunities to make a President’s Volunteer 6,500+ Service Awards difference that are meaningful and Daily Point impactful. Together with our Points of Light Awards of Light Global Network, we partner with social impact organizations, businesses and individuals to create 1,300+ UK and Commonwealth a global culture of volunteerism and Point of civic engagement.
    [Show full text]
  • George W Bush Childhood Home Reconnaissance Survey.Pdf
    Intermountain Region National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior August 2015 GEORGE W. BUSH CHILDHOOD HOME Reconnaissance Survey Midland, Texas Front cover: President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush speak to the media after touring the President’s childhood home at 1421 West Ohio Avenue, Midland, Texas, on October 4, 2008. President Bush traveled to attend a Republican fundraiser in the town where he grew up. Photo: SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images CONTENTS BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE — i SUMMARY OF FINDINGS — iii RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY PROCESS — v NPS CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION OF NATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE — vii National Historic Landmark Criterion 2 – viii NPS Theme Studies on Presidential Sites – ix GEORGE W. BUSH: A CHILDHOOD IN MIDLAND — 1 SUITABILITY — 17 Childhood Homes of George W. Bush – 18 Adult Homes of George W. Bush – 24 Preliminary Determination of Suitability – 27 HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION OF THE GEORGE W. BUSH CHILDHOOD HOME, MIDLAND TEXAS — 29 Architectural Description – 29 Building History – 33 FEASABILITY AND NEED FOR NPS MANAGEMENT — 35 Preliminary Determination of Feasability – 37 Preliminary Determination of Need for NPS Management – 37 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS — 39 APPENDIX: THE 41ST AND 43RD PRESIDENTS AND FIRST LADIES OF THE UNITED STATES — 43 George H.W. Bush – 43 Barbara Pierce Bush – 44 George W. Bush – 45 Laura Welch Bush – 47 BIBLIOGRAPHY — 49 SURVEY TEAM MEMBERS — 51 George W. Bush Childhood Home Reconnaissance Survey George W. Bush’s childhood bedroom at the George W. Bush Childhood Home museum at 1421 West Ohio Avenue, Midland, Texas, 2012. The knotty-pine-paneled bedroom has been restored to appear as it did during the time that the Bush family lived in the home, from 1951 to 1955.
    [Show full text]
  • Four Points of Light in Tribute to George Herbert Walker Bush Chanukah 5779
    Four Points of Light In Tribute to George Herbert Walker Bush Chanukah 5779 As we spent each night this week kindling the exquisite Chanukah candles, it seemed fitting that the nation was remembering George Herbert Walker Bush, who spoke of one thousand points of light. I must admit something of a personal connection to our nation’s forty first president, as, just three days following my fourth birthday, President Bush was the very first public official for whom I cast a vote. Before panicking that those persistent rumors of massive voter fraud are correct, allow me to explain. My parents were on opposite sides of that particular election- I shall not divulge who voted for whom- but I accompanied one of my parents to the voting booth on that Tuesday morning at the Whittier school. I had been given a choice as to which parent I would join, and so, I, knowing my parents divergence on this issue, was left to choose between the Vice President and Governor Dukakis. I chose the right parent, and felt extremely vindicated on Wednesday morning, when my parents told me that the Vice President would become President in just over two months. Not fully understanding the electoral college and its nuances at that stage of my life, and not realizing that Bush carried the state of New Jersey by over 420,000 votes, I was more or less convinced that my choice had been decisive. Shabbat, Chanukah, and Rosh Chodesh, independently, are all days on which we do not eulogize. But, that does not absolve of us of a dual ,חלקו כבוד למלכות ,obligation, both to show respect to national leadership 1 and, to learn the lessons of, whether or not one agreed with his policies, or supported his platform, the life of a remarkable person, not perfect, as no man is, but someone who embodied a time not of politics, but of public service.
    [Show full text]